Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
•   Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Working Life

To be a successful head/master brewer, you need to be passionate about beers and enjoy tasting beers on a daily basis. But before you get too excited, you should know that the role is much more complex than just tasting beers.

Beer making involves a number of different stages which the head/master brewer oversees. This is a job with a lot of responsibility as it involves ensuring the quality of the product and the efficiency of the brewery. As the master/head brewer, you also have to make sure that production schedules are met and that deliveries of orders are on time.

As you are responsible for a product, it’s all about consistency. And to ensure consistency, some of the daily duties may involve tasting the beer kegged the previous day, and reviewing and planning the production with brewery workers in the different departments.

From time to time, you may also be talking to suppliers and keeping up to date on the harvest and the quality of their crop. You also monitor demand for the different types of beers in production.

In large breweries, the production may continue 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you may be on call and in contact with the shift teams on evenings and weekends, ready to tackle any problems or issues that come up.

In smaller independent breweries, the head/master brewer may also be responsible for staff management, recipes, logistics and even having input into areas like marketing and sales.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
• Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
• Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
• Turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.
• Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
• Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
• Start agitators, shakers, conveyors, pumps, or centrifuge machines.
• Inspect machines or equipment for hasards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
• Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
• Communicate processing instructions to other workers.

Further Information

• Brewery Worker- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Technical Brewer- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

A job as a Head / Master Brewer, you generally need both qualifications and experience.

Some Master Brewers have science degrees (either general science degrees or specifically brewing and distilling science degrees) and several years experience of working in a distillery before being promoted to a master brewer role.

You can also do a ‘Master Brewer’ course through the UK based Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD). That is the highest level of IBD qualification, which is widely recognised and highly regarded by Irish brewers and distillers. To be eligible, you must have the brewer diploma or an equivalent qualification (e.g. a BSc (Hons) in Brewing and Distilling in an Inst of Technology in Ireland) and some years of operational experience.

As a Master Brewer you can choose to work in production, laboratories, quality assurance or product development, and you can develop your career in both small and large breweries. You may even start your own company, or use your skills abroad.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: brewing and distilling science.

Search for CAO Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

It is important to stay up-to-date with trends and developments in the industry, so membership in professional organisations may be useful. See for example: Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland or the Irish Brewers Association (IBEC ) Drinks Ireland.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €45k - €100k

Salary can depend on type of brewery worked for, ranging from small craft operations up to large corporate breweries.Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley / Sigmar/ CPL/ Azon/ Lincoln/ Indeed/ Salary Expert

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Chemical and related process operatives.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The strong employment growth rate for this occupation relates to significant growth in employment occurring between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 4,900 persons employed. The volume of vacancies advertised for these roles was small across both DSP and OVATE data, although job adverts for this occupation grew in 2022 (OVATE). Despite the strong employment growth, the data is not pointing to any recruitment issues to date. 

• Institute of Brewing and Distilling

  • 33 Clarges Street, London WIJ 7EE
  • +44 (0) 20 7499 8144
  • Click Here

• Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland

  • Confederation House, 84/86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 605 1500
  • Click Here

• Bord Bia

  • Clanwilliam Court Lower Mount Street. Dublin 2
  • (01) 668 5155
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland

  • 20 Railway Avenue, Sutton D13 K0E8
  • +353 (0)863949270
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here